Sixth Case of Measles Confirmed at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston
In a concerning turn of events, health officials have confirmed a sixth case of measles at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston. This confirmation comes just hours after Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata visited the school to address the fears and concerns of faculty and parents. Licata assured everyone that the school had undergone a thorough cleaning, with air filters being changed over the holiday weekend. He also emphasized that individuals who have been vaccinated have no need for concern.
However, the situation remains uncertain as it is unclear whether all six children with measles were unvaccinated. The first reported case last Thursday was a third-grade student at the elementary school. Approximately 11% of the Manatee Bay students, around 117 students, are unvaccinated due to medical or religious exemptions from mandatory vaccine requirements.
In response to the outbreak, Broward County Public School District, in collaboration with local health officials, held a vaccination event at Manatee Bay on Friday. Another vaccination event was held off-site on Sunday for students in the same school zone. The school district has scheduled another vaccination event on Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m. for Manatee Bay Elementary students, staff, and families.
While the health department has not linked the first reported case to travel, infectious disease experts believe that the infected individual may have come into contact with someone who had visited an area where measles is spreading. Weston has a significant foreign-born population, with nearly half of its residents being born outside of the United States and many traveling internationally.
In response to the outbreak, the Department of Health issued a letter to parents and guardians of students at Manatee Bay. The letter stated that individuals without a history of prior infection or vaccination should stay home for up to 21 days, as this is the period during which the virus can be transmitted. The letter also acknowledged the number of healthy children being kept home from school and suggested that remote learning may become necessary.
Even before the recent cases in South Florida, there had been a total of 23 measles cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between December 1 and January 23. The World Health Organization has also been warning of an “alarming rise” in measles cases across Europe.
Measles is highly contagious and primarily spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If an unvaccinated person is in close proximity to an infected individual, there is a 90% chance of transmission. The disease can also live on surfaces or in the air for up to two hours, making it easy for others to become infected if they touch contaminated surfaces and then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is required for students attending public schools in Florida. The vaccine consists of two doses, with the first dose administered between 12 and 15 months of age and the second dose between 4 and 6 years old. One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective in preventing measles, while two doses are 97% effective.
However, in recent years, an increasing number of parents have chosen not to vaccinate their children, leading to a drop in immunization rates and a rise in vaccine-preventable illnesses. If a child is vaccinated now, they will develop some antibodies within a few days, but it takes about two weeks to be fully protected.
It is important to note that transmission after vaccination is extremely rare, especially if the vaccinated individual does not exhibit symptoms. Measles symptoms typically include a high fever, respiratory symptoms such as cough and congestion, sore throat, red eyes, and a rash that spreads from the hairline to the face, trunk, and extremities.
If someone is unvaccinated and exposed to measles, it is not too late to get a shot. The MMR vaccine can be effective in preventing measles if administered within 72 hours of exposure. Babies in households with an infected individual can also be given a shot as a precaution.
For individuals who received the MMR vaccine developed in 1971, the likelihood of getting measles is significantly reduced compared to those with no immunity. However, breakthrough cases are still possible, although they tend to be milder in vaccinated individuals. The majority of people born before 1957 are presumed to be protected against measles, mumps, and rubella due to natural infection.
While measles antibodies are durable, they do wane over time. Studies have shown that the majority of individuals remain above the threshold needed for protection for at least 17 years. Currently, outbreaks are occurring primarily among unvaccinated individuals.
Measles can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications for symptom relief. However, certain groups, such as children under 5 years old, adults over 20 years old, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems,
